By Nellie Day
California Wine Country Restaurants
California wine country is all about indulgence, which extends to the worlds of wine and food. And three new dining options each offer good food, ambiance and wine. Here is a look at these must-see culinary hot spots.
La Toque
Located inside The Westin Verasa Napa, La Toque is one of the city's best fine dining restaurants. It combines fresh, regionally grown ingredients and perfectly matched wines. The restaurant pairs each course with a complementary tasting sample of wine and has also become celebrated for its truffle menu, for those who want to enjoy an upscale dining experience.
La Toque
1314 McKinstry St.
Napa, California 94558
(707) 257-5157
The Pinnacle
Located inside the Falkner Winery in Temecula, The Pinnacle overlooks the spectacular Temecula Valley, providing a very romantic setting. The restaurant is becoming well-known for its tempting appetizers, sumptuous entrees and handy boxed lunch, perfect for a day on the road visiting the area's many wonderful wineries..
The Pinnacle
40620 Calle Contento
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 676-8231
The Hitching Post
Featured in the Oscar-nominated movie Sideways, The Hitching Post was famous long before camera crews invaded the Santa Ynez wine country. It has long been known for its barbecue, flame-grilled steak, shrimp and chicken, and, naturally, its robust selection of wine. Be sure to book your reservations ahead of time, and head to The Hitching Post early, around 4p.m. or so, to sample some of the Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post wines before dinner.
The Hitching Post
406 E. Highway 246
Buellton, California
(805) 688-0676
About the Author:
Nellie Day is a freelance writer based out of Hermosa Beach, CA. She has her Master's degree in broadcast journalism from USC, and Bachelors' degrees in English and sociology from UC Irvine. Ms. Day's work can regularly be seen on newsstands, where her specialties include weddings, pets, real estate, electronics, product reviews, business, architecture and design, Southern California, food and wine, and travel and tourism.
Photo Credits:
commons.wikimedia.org
